Agricultural Sensor Integrating Distance and Vitality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements face challenges in controlling the height and material application rate without increasing production costs and system complexity, as existing sensors for distance and plant vitality detection are costly and complex, and often require separate types for different functions.
Innovation Solution
Using existing sensors to detect distance and reflection properties of plants, allowing for integrated height control and targeted material application, with an evaluation device determining plant vitality and adjusting application rates based on sensor data, including chlorophyll activity and plant density, using near-infrared light waves for efficient data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate sensor types are used for distance measurement and plant vitality detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single sensor type to perform both distance measurement and plant vitality detection. The sensor system uses time-of-flight measurements for distance determination and analyzes reflected light intensity and spectral properties for vitality assessment, eliminating the need for separate sensor types while maintaining measurement precision across both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines distance measurement and vitality detection functions into a unified sensor system. By integrating multiple measurement capabilities (time-of-flight, reflectivity analysis, spectral detection) into a single sensor platform, the system reduces overall complexity while preserving the measurement precision that would otherwise require separate specialized sensors.
2Measurement precision
If complex triangulation-based sensors are used for distance measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but susceptibility to vibrations and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical triangulation systems with an optical time-of-flight measurement system. By using electromagnetic wave propagation time rather than mechanical triangulation, the system achieves comparable or superior measurement precision while significantly reducing susceptibility to vibrations that affect mechanical and optical alignment in triangulation-based systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor types are equipped on agricultural equipment, then detection capability is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves enhanced detection capability through a single versatile sensor type that performs multiple functions: distance measurement via time-of-flight, plant vitality detection through reflectivity analysis, and spectral composition assessment. This multi-functional approach maintains adaptability and versatility while significantly reducing production costs by eliminating the need to manufacture and integrate multiple separate sensor types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and cost-effective height control and material application, reducing vibrations and ensuring optimal resource use by integrating distance and reflection property detection, thereby enhancing agricultural efficiency without increasing complexity or costs.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more sensors are each configured to emit one or more electromagnetic waves and to detect the travel time and/or the intensity of the one or more electromagnetic waves reflected from the reference object
Implementation Method 2
The distance to the reference object can be determined from the travel time of the one or more electromagnetic waves reflected from the reference object
Implementation Method 3
The reflective properties of the reference object can be determined from the intensity of the one or more electromagnetic waves reflected from the reference object
Implementation Method 4
the one or more emitted electromagnetic waves comprise light waves from the near-infrared range
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control device for an agricultural device, comprising one or more sensors, each configured to provide sensor data for detecting a distance to a reference object, wherein the one or more sensors are each configured to provide sensor data for detecting reflection properties of the reference object.